Interlocking cans

ABSTRACT

A container, such as a can, has an outer surface including having a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom surface is capable of engaging the top surface of another container for stacking the containers. A connection mechanism has a pair of complementary components carried by the outer surface of the container wherein one of the pair of complementary components is carried by the container engages the other of the pair of complementary components carried by another container for securing the containers together.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container and more particularly to a can having an integrated connection mechanism for allowing interlocking of cans.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beverages, such as beer and soda, are stored in numerous forms. One of the more common is a beverage can typically made from aluminum to hold a single serving of a beverage. While sizes vary and include 8, 12, and 24 ounces can and 330 milliliter, and 500 milliliter can, the most common size container in the United States is 12 ounces.

While cans are convenient for serving, individuals cans are not convenient for transporting or serving. At one time, it was common to find a six pack, six cans, connected with a six-pack plastic ring or yoke. It is more common now days to find cans packaged in larger numbers such as 12, 24, or 30 cans within a sealed paperboard carton.

Unfortunately after the beverage can is removed from the box or the plastic yoke and the beverage consumed, the desire and the ability to bundle the empty containers is lost. While approximately a dozen states have bottle laws that incentivize the proper disposal of cans, it does not facilitate the bundling of cans together for transportation.

SUMMARY

In contrast to the conventional beverage cans, the can of the instant invention has several features that allow grouping of cans together for delivery to a proper disposal location. In addition, these features allow for other uses of cans as described below.

In an embodiment of a container, the container has an outer surface including having a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom surface is capable of engaging the top surface of another container for stacking the containers. The container has a connection mechanism having a pair of complementary components carried by the outer surface of the container wherein one of the pair of complementary components carried by the container engages the other of the pair of complementary components by another container for securing the containers together.

In an embodiment, the connection mechanisms are dis-engageable for separating the containers. In an embodiment, the container is a cylindrical container having a top and a bottom and a cylindrical side wall.

In an embodiment, the connection mechanism has a pair of complementary components. One of the complementary components is carried by the top and the other of the complementary components is carried by the bottom wherein the complementary components engage each other for allowing the secure stacking of containers. In one embodiment, the pair of complementary components are a plurality of dimples and complementary protrusions.

In an embodiment, the top of the container has a generally planar portion which is parallel to a generally planar portion of the bottom and an annular ring having a radial facing inward surface. The radial facing inward surface has the plurality of dimples and the bottom has a bottom rim with a plurality of protrusions for acceptance in dimples carried on the top of another container.

In an embodiment, the pair of complementary components are a pair of threaded surfaces. In an embodiment, the pair of complementary components are a pair of interlocking hook segments.

In an embodiment, the container has a second connection mechanism having a plurality of complementary components carried by the generally cylindrical side wall wherein the complementary components engage each other to allow the secure connection of containers. In an embodiment, the plurality of complementary components of the second connection mechanism are dovetail components having at least one tenon and at least one complementary mortise.

In a method of practicing the invention to stack a plurality of cans, each can has an outer surface including a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom surface is capable of engaging the top surface of another container for stacking the containers. The bottom of a can is placed into engagement with the top of another can such that a connection mechanism carried by the top of one can engages the complementary components carried by the bottom of the other can.

In one embodiment of the method, the top of the can has a generally planar portion which is parallel to a generally planar portion of the bottom. The top has an annular ring having a radial facing inward surface wherein the connection mechanism is a plurality of dimples and the bottom having an outer rim with the complementary component is a plurality of protrusions for acceptance in dimples carried on the top of another container wherein the can flexes to allow the protrusion to engage the dimples.

In an embodiment, the can is coupled to another a connection mechanism having a pair of complementary components carried by the outer surface of the container wherein one of the pair of complementary components carried by the container engages the other of the pair of complementary components by another container for securing the containers together.

In an embodiment, the cans are stacked such that an opening the size of a can or larger opening is found in the stacked cans.

These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of its preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top portion of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 taken along the line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of one container stacked on top of another container;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a container of an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of a portion of the container of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a portion of the container of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of two containers of the embodiment described with respect to FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a schematic of a plurality of containers connected;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a portion of a pair of containers of an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a container of an alternative embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a portion of a pair of containers of the embodiment of FIG. 10.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a container 20 according to the invention is shown. The container 20 in a preferred embodiment is a beverage can having a cylindrical outer wall 22, a bottom surface 24, as seen in FIG. 3, and a top surface 26. The top surface 26 as an upper rim 28 with an annular ring 30.

The container 20 has a connection mechanism 34 having a pair of complementary components 34 d and 34 p. One of the complementary components 34 d is carried on the inner surface 36 of the annular ring 30.

Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the top portion of the container 20 is shown. The container 20 in the embodiment shown has a pull tab 38 that results in a portion 40 of the top surface 26 moving to create an opening 42. A pair of one of the complementary components 34 d are seen. In the embodiment shown, the components 34 d are dimples.

Referring to FIG. 3, a sectional view of the container 20 is shown. The top surface 26 of the container 20 is shown with the annular ring 30 having the inner surface 36 wherein the complementary components 34 d are a plurality of dimples 34 d. In the embodiment shown, the container 20 has four dimples 34 d of which three are seen in the FIG. The bottom surface 24 has a bottom rim 46 with an outer rim 48 which has a diameter slightly smaller than the inner surface 36 of the annular ring 30 of the rim 28 of the top surface 26. The outer rim 48 has a plurality of the complementary components 34 p. In the embodiment shown, the complementary components 34 p are a plurality of protrusions 34 p formed in the rim. The plurality of protrusions 34 p are both complementary and aligned with the dimples 34 d. It is noted that the protrusions 34 p and dimples 34 d do not interfere with the use of the container 20.

Referring to FIG. 4, an enlarged sectional view of a portion of one container 20 stacked on top of another container 20 is shown. The protrusions 34 p on the outer rim 48 of the bottom surface 24 are received in the dimples 34 d on the inner surface 36 of the annular ring 30 of the upper rim 28 of the top surface 26. While the container 20 does not flex significantly, the aluminum surface of the container 20 flexes sufficiently to allow the protrusions 34 p to move into and out of the engagement with the dimples. When one container 20 is stacked on top of another container 20, the lower bottom surface 24 of the top container 20 is received within the annular ring 30 of the bottom container 20. One of the complementary components 34 is carried by the top and the other of the complementary components 34 is carried by the bottom wherein the complementary components 34 engage each other for allowing the secure staking of containers 20. While only portions of two containers 20 are shown secured together, it is recognized that a stack of several containers 20, cans, can be stacked to form a cylinder having a longitudinal axis through a plurality of containers 20.

Referring to FIG. 5, a side view of a container of an alternative embodiment is shown. The container 20 has a plurality of dovetail components 54 as also seen in FIG. 1. The dovetail components 54 include a plurality of complementary components 54 r and 54 s; the components 54 include at least one tenon or rail 54 r and at least one complementary mortise or slot 54 s. The tenon or rail 54 r extends longitudinally down the cylindrical outer wall 22 of the container 20. In one embodiment, the tenon or rail 54 r is formed from the cylindrical outer wall 22 of the container 20 as seen in FIG. 6A. Likewise in the embodiment, the complementary mortise or slots 54 s is formed form the cylindrical outer wall 22 of the container 22 as seen in FIG. 6B.

While both the tenon and the mortise are shown extending the length of the maximum diameter of the container, it is recognized that the tenon or rail 54 r can be of a short length or two or more segments.

Referring to FIG. 7, a sectional view of two containers 20 of the embodiment described with respect to FIG. 5 is shown. The tenon 54 r of the container 20 r on the left side of the FIG is shown received by the mortise 54 s of the container 20 on the right side of the FIG. The tenon 54 r is aligned with the mortise 54 s and containers 20 slide to align with each other.

Referring to FIG. 8, a schematic of a plurality of containers 20 that are connected is shown. The containers 20 in this embodiment are connected top to bottom by the dimples 34 d and protrusions 34 p discussed above. Adjacent containers 20 are connected using the rails 54 r and the slots 54 s. The wall of containers 20 can be built with openings 58 the size of one container or multiple containers 20. In addition while the FIG. shows the containers in two dimension, it is recognized that the containers can be stacked in three dimensions. In the embodiment shown, the rails 54 r and slots 54 s are spaced at ninety (90) degrees, but it is recognized that the connection mechanism can be positioned at other spacing such as 45°, 60°, or 120°.

Referring to FIG. 9, a sectional view of a portion of a pair of containers 60 having an alternative embodiment of a connection mechanism 34 is shown. The top surface 26 of the bottom container 30 has a pull tab 38 that is used for opening the container 20. The pull tab 38 has an opening 62. The bottom surface 24 of the top container 20 has a hook 66 which projects up and is received by the opening 62 in the pull tab 38. The opening 62 in the pull tab 38 and the hook 66 are part of the connection mechanism 34. In that the pull tab 38 flexes relative to the top of the container 60, after the hook 66 is received by the opening 62 in the pull tab 38, the containers can be pushed together so that the bottom rim 46 of the top container 60 is received in the upper rim 26 of the bottom container 60.

Referring to FIG. 10, a sectional view of a container 80 having an alternative embodiment of a connection mechanism 34 is shown. The bottom surface 26 of the container 80 has an outer protruding thread 84 on the outer rim 48 of the bottom rim 46. The upper rim 26 of the container 80 has an inner thread 86 which is complementary to the outer protruding thread 84. The inner thread 86 of the upper rim 26 receives the outer protruding thread 84 on the outer rim 48 of the bottom rim 46 as shown in FIG. 11. The two complimentary threaded portions 84 and 86 of the connection mechanism 34 allows for a plurality of containers 80 to be stacked together.

While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A container comprising: an outer surface including having a bottom surface and a top surface, the bottom surface capable of engaging the top surface of another container for stacking the containers; and a connection mechanism having a pair of complementary components carried by the outer surface of the container wherein one of the pair of complementary components carried by the container engages the other of the pair of complementary components carried by another container for securing the containers together.
 2. A container of claim 1 wherein the connection mechanisms are dis-engageable for separating the containers.
 3. A container of claim 2 wherein the container is a cylindrical container having a top and a bottom and a cylindrical side wall.
 4. A container of claim 3 wherein the connection mechanism having a pair of complementary components has one of the complementary components carried by the top and the other of the complementary components carried by the bottom wherein the complementary components engage each other for allowing the secure stacking of containers.
 5. A container of claim 4 wherein the pair of complementary components are a plurality of dimples and a complementary protrusion.
 6. A container of claim 2 wherein the top has a generally planar portion parallel to a generally planar portion of the bottom and an annular ring having a radial facing inward surface having the plurality of dimples and the bottom having a bottom rim with a plurality of protrusions for acceptance in dimples carried on the top of another container.
 7. A container of claim 1 wherein the pair of complementary components are a pair of threaded surfaces.
 8. A container of claim 1 wherein the pair of complementary components are a pair interlocking hook segments.
 9. A container of claim 3 further comprises: a second connection mechanism having a plurality of complementary components carried by the generally cylindrical side wall wherein the complementary components engage each other for allowing the secure connection of containers.
 10. A container of claim 9 wherein the plurality of complementary components of the second connection mechanism are dovetail components having at least one tenon and at least one complementary mortise.
 11. A container of claim 10 wherein the connection mechanism having a pair of complementary components is one of the complementary components carried by the top and the other of the complementary components carried by the bottom wherein the complementary components engage each other for allowing the secure stacking of containers.
 12. A container of claim 11 wherein the pair of complementary components are a plurality of dimples and complementary protrusions.
 13. A container of claim 9 wherein the plurality of complementary components are at least one rail and at least one slot.
 14. A method of stacking of cans comprising: providing a plurality of cans, each can having an outer surface including a bottom surface and a top surface, the bottom surface capable of engaging the top surface of another can for stacking the cans; and placing the bottom of a can into engagement with the top of another can such that a connection mechanism carried by the top of one can engages the complementary components carried by the bottom of the other can.
 15. A method of claim 14 wherein the top of the can has a generally planar portion parallel to a generally planar portion of the bottom and an annular ring having a radial facing inward surface wherein the connection mechanism is a plurality of dimples and the bottom having an outer rim with the complementary components is a plurality of protrusions for acceptance in dimples carried on the top of another can wherein the can flexes to allow the protrusion to engage the dimples.
 16. A method of claim 14 wherein the can is coupled to another connection mechanism having a pair of complementary components carried by the outer surface of the can wherein one of the pair of complementary components carried by the can engages the other of the pair of complementary components by another can for securing the cans together.
 17. A method of claim 16 wherein the cans are stacked such that an opening the size of a can or larger is found within the stacked cans.
 18. A container comprising: a cylindrical container having a top and a bottom and a cylindrical side wall, the container having an outer surface including having a bottom surface and a top surface, the bottom surface capable of engaging the top surface of another container for stacking the containers; and a connection mechanism having a pair of complementary components carried by the outer surface of the container wherein one of the pair of complementary components carried by the top engages the other of the pair of complementary components carried by the bottom of the another container for securing the containers together and the connection mechanisms are dis-engageable for separating the containers.
 19. A container of claim 18 wherein the pair of complementary components are a plurality of dimples and complementary protrusions.
 20. A container of claim 19 wherein the top has a generally planar portion parallel to a generally planar portion of the bottom and an annular ring having a radial facing inward surface having the plurality of dimples and the bottom having a bottom rim with a plurality of protrusions for acceptance in dimples carried on the top of another container.
 21. A container of claim 20 further comprises: a second connection mechanism having a plurality of complementary components carried by the generally cylindrical side wall wherein the complementary components engage each other for allowing the secure connection of containers.
 22. A container of claim 21 wherein the plurality of complementary components of the second connection mechanism are dovetail components having at least one tenon and at least one complementary mortise. 